PMID: 8950698Oct 1, 1996Paper

Fetal tissue transplantation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: a review of the literature

The Journal of Neuroscience Nursing : Journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
A H Chisholm

Abstract

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurologic disorder that currently affects half a million Americans. There is no known medical treatment that stops or reverses the dopaminergic neuronal degeneration that causes the symptoms. Investigators are searching for new surgical treatments that may provide better control of symptoms for longer periods of time. Reinnervating the basal ganglia with dopaminergic neurons is the theory behind fetal neural tissue transplantation. A review of the clinical trials of fetal neural tissue transplants performed in Mexico, Sweden, England and the United States shows some improvement in motor function in patients with severe idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Comparing the results of the different clinical trials is difficult due to a number of varying factors between the groups. There is still no consensus regarding patient selection, optimal fetal tissue source, optimal site of implantation, the use of immunosuppression or optimal method of assessing patient response. Much research is still required before fetal neural tissue transplantation can be offered as a therapeutic option for patients with Parkinson's disease.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Basal Ganglia

Basal Ganglia are a group of subcortical nuclei in the brain associated with control of voluntary motor movements, procedural and habit learning, emotion, and cognition. Here is the latest research.

Basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease (MDS)

The basal ganglia is comprised of the neostriatum, the external and internal pallidal segments, the subthalamic nucleus, the substantia nigra pars reticulata, and the pars compacta of the substantia nigra. The basal ganglia circuitry is responsible for the correct execution of voluntary movements and is implicated in Parkinson's disease. Here is the latest research investigating the basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease.